mobile integrated healthcare: in-home nurse visit

It’s the End of EMS As We Know It (and We Feel Better)

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As telemedicine capabilities continue to grow and healthcare demands become more complex, Emergency Management Services (EMS) are facing a potential transformation from a chronically underfunded acute-care delivery method to a front-line community health advocate focusing on public health, preventive care, and disease management, as explained by a recent series in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. Thus far, the application of telemedicine to EMS has revolved around enabling earlier assessment, diagnosis, and treatment during transport, leading to hospitals being more specifically prepared to receive emergency patients upon arrival, faster treatment times, and improved patient outcomes. However, Dr. Orlando E. Rivera, DNP, MBA, RN, a specialist in emergency and prehospital medicine, envisions a broader role for EMS. By adding community health programs targeting chronic disease management, mental health, geriatrics, pediatrics, and substance abuse, for instance, EMS strategy can shift from a reactive response to a proactive approach that addresses “simmering” health issues before they escalate into full-blown emergencies, thus reducing the frequency and severity of emergency situations. 

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concept art of telemedicine cart covered in cobwebs from disuse

“Build It and They Will Come”—Or Will They?

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Over the last few years, as the COVID-19 pandemic ran its course, we’ve all watched as telemedicine players Teladoc and Amwell acquired smaller entities in their bids to build all-in-one telehealth provider solutions addressing acute care, mental health, and chronic condition management—practically everything, it seems. In contrast, swyMed has focused on working closely with clients to customize technology to meet their specific needs and integrate with their existing systems, such as telestroke and emergency transport. Now, as we sift through the data, it is becoming clear that giant “one-size-fits-all” programs are not the panacea they claimed to be; instead, with increasing emphasis on patient engagement, healthcare organizations want personalized technology platforms that mesh with their current structure for ease-of-use among both patients and providers.

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ambulance driving through on country road artistic

swyMed Telehealth Solution for Rural Georgia Gains National Attention

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A recent article highlighted the collaboration between Emory University’s PAVES program, DT Research, and swyMed to expand Emergency Medical Service (EMS) capabilities in Rural Georgia in order to improve access to healthcare. By using these technologies, Washington County Regional Medical Center (WCRMC) connects ambulance personnel with remote physicians and specialists in real-time video medicine consultations, enabling faster patient evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment during transport to the most appropriate care setting rather than waiting until arrival at the closest Emergency Department, which may not have the best tools and resources available for that patient’s particular situation. As a result, WCRMC has documented significantly reduced time-to-care, improved triage, and more efficient use of physician resources, leading to enhanced overall patient care without increasing the workload of EMS staff. 

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Visual representation of mobile connectivity

What Makes swyMed’s Technology Different?

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While some well-known companies in the telemedicine industry have recently been in the headlines for growing pains, swyMed has firmly established itself as the leader in connecting providers and patients in circumstances that other platforms rarely even try. If the local network is overcrowded or has sparse coverage, causing fluctuating or poor network conditions, how can an application hold a steady connection to the internet or cloud server? swyMed has found a way to do exactly that.

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swyMed Now Available in Apple App Store

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Apple fans, rejoice! The swyMed app has returned to the Apple App Store, and it’s better than ever before! 

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Closeup of doctor holding sign saying help wanted; lacking telemedicine applications. Retro instagram style filter image.

Relieving Labor Shortages through Telemedicine Applications

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Imagine rushing to the Emergency Department, half-blind with mind-numbing pain, and desperate for help. Imagine expecting to be greeted by qualified, well-rested staff—nurses, doctors, therapists, and others—who are ready to take care of you, as much or as little as needed. Now, imagine arriving to find an overflowing ED filled with weary patients who have spent hours waiting for a hospital bed, attended to by overworked care providers who can barely muster a weak smile. They’re trying to reassure you, but all you can see is exhaustion, crowded hallways, and restless, disgruntled patients—a world without effective telemedicine applications.

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Telemedicine Physician Licensing Needs Updates

Can Telemedicine Physician Licensing Be Updated?

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With the explosion of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic, several regulations have come under close scrutiny for hindering more efficient and effective use of the technology. In particular, telemedicine physician licensing has traditionally been managed at the state level, where both the physician and patient must physically be located during the appointment, but real-time consultations over the internet are not limited by state lines. With today’s technology and consumers’ rapid acceptance of telemedicine, providers and patients virtually anywhere can theoretically meet online for a medical appointment; in reality, they can’t because many states do not recognize medical licenses awarded in a different state. Temporary measures have been created to address this issue, but they do not comprise a long-term solution to the issue of telemedicine physician licensing. Read more

swyMed_mobile_stroke_unit: mHealth Technology makes teleStroke and ET3 programs possible

mHealth Technology Takes ET3 from Concept to Reality

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The long-awaited ET3 program is finally here! After delays caused by the pandemic, the Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) program went into effect on January 1, 2021. To support this initiative, swyMed and Logitech are working together to provide the mHealth technology (mobile real-time audio-visual communications) that makes the ET3 program possible. Read more

Telemedicine Appointments Aren't Available for All Social Groups

Socioeconomic Barriers to Telemedicine Appointments Remain

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Although the rapid rise of telemedicine has proven invaluable for much of the US population over the last year, this has not held true for everybody. As with traditional health care, social factors are still hindering telemedicine’s reach to some communities. Industry experts are warning that as telemedicine appointments become a permanent part of the “new normal” of health care delivery, proactive measures must be taken to ensure that patients are not continually stymied by social factors in trying to access health care via telemedicine. Read more

Telemedicine Regulations Represented by Stethoscope, Gavel, and Laptop

The Future of Telemedicine Regulations under the Biden Administration

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Twelve months ago, few, if any, could have predicted that the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic would linger on into a new presidential administration. Dissatisfied by the lackluster pandemic relief bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump just before Christmas, which failed to extend the pandemic’s eased stance on telemedicine regulations, industry stakeholders are now looking to President-elect Biden and the 117th Congress to sanction more permanent measures in order to preserve the sudden rise in telemedicine usage during the pandemic. Read more